Geographical applications for mobile devices and backend systems

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device, determining geographical coordinates of the destination, and transmitting the coordinates to the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method includes transmitting a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device to a remote location, receiving geographical coordinates of the destination, and outputting a map showing a present location of the mobile device and/or the geographical destination. In yet another embodiment, a method includes receiving a present geographical location of a remote mobile device at a local mobile device, and outputting a map showing a present location of the local mobile device and/or the received location of the remote mobile device. In a further embodiment, a method includes sending a present geographical location of a mobile device to a remote mobile device. Other methods for remote location determination/access are described as well.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/556,791 filed Sep. 10, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/095,920, filed Sep. 10, 2008, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to GPS systems, and more particularly to methods for retrieving and sending geographical directions and locations with a GPS enabled mobile device.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, from a mobile device, a verbal request for a type of geographical destination that is geographically near the mobile device; receiving a location of the mobile device; determining geographical destinations of the requested type located near the location of the mobile device; sending a list of the geographical destinations to the mobile device; after sending the list of the geographical destinations to the mobile device, receiving a request for map data; and transmitting the map data to the mobile device via wireless signals, where the map data includes a graphical map showing a geographical location of at least one of the geographical destinations.

According to another embodiment, a method includes: receiving user input corresponding to a telephone number on a mobile device; dialing the telephone number using the mobile device; upon a connection being made with a remote location, transmitting a verbal request to the remote location, where the request is for a type of geographical destination that is geographically near the mobile device; determining a present location of the mobile device; receiving a list of potential geographical destinations corresponding to the requested type of geographical destination; after receiving the list of potential geographical destinations, sending a request for map data to a remote server; downloading map data to the mobile device via wireless signals; after downloading the map data, generating, on the mobile device, a route between the present location of the mobile device and at least one of the potential geographical destinations selected from the list; outputting the map data as a map; showing at least one of the present location of the mobile device and the selected geographical destination on the map; and outputting on the map a graphical representation highlighting at least part of the route between the present location and the selected geographical destination.

According to yet another embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device; determining geographical coordinates of the geographical destination; and transmitting the geographical coordinates to the mobile device.

According to a further embodiment, a method includes transmitting a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device to a remote location; receiving geographical coordinates of the geographical destination; and outputting a map showing at least one of a present location of the mobile device and the geographical destination.

According to an additional embodiment, a method includes receiving a present geographical location of a remote mobile device at a local mobile device; and outputting a map showing at least one of: a present location of the local mobile device, and the received location of the remote mobile device.

According to still another embodiment, a method includes sending a present geographical location of a mobile device to a remote mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, as well as illustrative modes of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simple schematic diagram of a system 100 for retrieving geographical directions according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a method according to one embodiment.

Various embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below with reference to the figures, in which like items are numbered the same in the several figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following paragraphs describe certain features and combinations of features that can be used in connection with each of the methods of the invention and embodiments, as generally described below. Also, particular features described hereinafter can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. As such, the invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiments.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation and scope including one or more meanings implied from the specification as well as one or more meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise specified.

According to one general embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device; determining geographical coordinates of the destination; and transmitting the coordinates to the mobile device.

In another general embodiment, a method comprises receiving a verbal request for a geographical destination from a mobile device; determining geographical coordinates of the destination; and transmitting the coordinates to the mobile device.

In another general embodiment, a method comprises transmitting a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device to a remote location; receiving geographical coordinates of the destination; and outputting a map showing at least one of a present location of the mobile device and the destination.

In another general embodiment, a method comprises transmitting a verbal request for a geographical destination from a mobile device to a remote location; receiving geographical coordinates of the destination; and outputting a map showing at least one of a present location of the mobile device and the destination.

In another general embodiment, a method comprises receiving a present geographical location of a remote mobile device at a local mobile device; and outputting a map showing a present location of at least one of the local mobile device and the received location of the remote mobile device.

In another general embodiment, a method comprises sending a present geographical location of a mobile device to a remote mobile device.

With reference to FIG. 1, a simple schematic diagram of a system 100 for retrieving geographical directions on a GPS-equipped mobile device is shown. FIG. 1 may be used to describe other methods of retrieving and sending directions and locations to and from GPS enabled mobile devices later in this application. A mobile device 102 may be any GPS-equipped device capable of sending and receiving GPS information such as a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal GPS device, automobile mounted GPS device, BLACKBERRY® device, APPLE iPHONE®, mobile phone running ANDROID®, etc. The mobile device 102 may send and receive signals 116 from one or multiple GPS satellites 104, resulting in the satellites 104 being able to triangulate, pinpoint, approximate, or interpolate the location or approximate location of the mobile device 102. The mobile device 102 may also be capable of transmitting and receiving a standard mobile telephone signal 118, or short service message (SMS) or other text carrying signal which can then be sent from an antenna 106 or a satellite to an operator 108 or computer controlled automatic operator 110 via landline 114 or other communication technique 112. Other communication techniques include electronic communications across broadband devices, mobile telephone communications, satellite communications, etc. A landline indicates a terrestrial telephone network, which can be analog or preferably digital.

These channels of communication allow a user of the mobile device 102 to request directions to a location, which the operator 108 or computer controlled automatic operator 110 can decipher, e.g., via voice recognition, touch pad tone recognition, text recognition, etc., and return coordinates for the location to the mobile device 102, for purposes of the mobile device 102 displaying a present location of the mobile device 102 and/or a location of the desired destination and/or directions to proceed to the destination, possibly in the form of a map 120, text message, graphical layout, etc.

The user of the mobile device 102 may request directions via any available communications channel, such as via a telephone call to an operator 108 or computer controlled automatic operator 110, a text message to an operator 108 or computer controlled automatic operator 110, a telephone call into an automated response system (e.g., such that the user can enter keystrokes that signal desired responses to the automated response system), etc.

FIGS. 2-6 show various methods according to multiple embodiments. Each method may be carried out in the context of functionality of FIG. 1, or in any other environment as desired.

Referring to FIG. 2, in operation 202, a request for a geographical destination is received from a mobile device. In operation 204, geographical coordinates of the destination are determined. In operation 206, the coordinates are transmitted to the mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 3, in operation 302, a verbal request for a geographical destination is received from a mobile device. In operation 304, geographical coordinates of the destination are determined. In operation 306, the coordinates are transmitted to the mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 402, a request for a geographical destination is transmitted from a mobile device to a remote location. In operation 404, geographical coordinates of the destination are received. In operation 406, a map showing at least one of a present location of the mobile device and the destination is output.

Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 502, a verbal request for a geographical destination from a mobile device is transmitted to a remote location. In operation 504, geographical coordinates of the destination are received. In operation 506, a map showing at least one of a present location of the mobile device and the destination is output.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 602, a present geographical location of a remote mobile device is received at a local mobile device. In operation 604, a map showing a present location of at least one of the local mobile device and the received location of the remote mobile device is output.

In each embodiment, variations are possible at each step. For instance, the request for a geographical location may be initiated by the user of the mobile device, or may be automatically transmitted when certain predefined criteria are met. Furthermore, the request may be a verbal request. The request may be received by a live person or by an automatic device capable of responding to the request with the geographical location desired. The person receiving the request may be at a call center designed to handle such requests, or any other location.

In other embodiments, the geographical coordinates of several potential destinations may be determined and sent to the mobile device. The user can then select which destination to display on the mobile device and/or receive directions to. Further, one of the locations sent to or by the mobile device may be the present location of the mobile device, which can then be displayed on the mobile device as a point on a map, and/or can be used to generate directions from the present location to a desired location. The present location of the mobile device may be determined through GPS, triangulation of the mobile device, proximity to the closest mobile telephone tower, etc.

The file or transmission format or medium of the geographical coordinates, location, etc. may be transmitted to a mobile device using any known method. For example, the coordinates may be send in any format or messaging type that can be recognized by the mobile device as would be known to one of reasonable skill in the relevant art, such as SMS, a markup language such as hyper text markup language (HTML), plain text, rich text, email message, etc. Moreover, where a first mobile device sends its present geographical location information to a remote mobile device, the first mobile device may send the geographical location in the form of an email, a text message, SMS, message, a map with a marker showing the present geographical location generated at the sending device, etc. The receiving mobile device may then output an indication of received geographical location information, the map or a map generated based on the information, etc. Note that the receiving device may download map data and/or other data from a remote server as part of the outputting process. Moreover, any of the foregoing can be used to transmit location information to a receiving device or system, or to transmit location information from a sending device or system.

In another embodiment, the map that may be displayed on the mobile device may have a geographical representation highlighting at least part of a route between the present location and the destination. The map and/or route can include, among other things, roadway names, place names, points of interest, arrows, instructions to turn left or right, distances, etc. Moreover, the output can be updated from time to time based on an updated present location of the mobile device. In addition, text may accompany the map or may be provided alone which describes the present location of the mobile device and/or directions to reach the destination.

In a further embodiment, the mobile device may output verbal commands that contain at least a portion of the directions determined between the present location and the desired destination. This can include, among other things, roadway names, instructions to turn left or right, distances, etc. In addition, the verbal commands may include turn-by-turn directions, which aid a traveler in arriving at a destination or waypoint. Also, the associated visual commands may correspond to the verbal commands, and the visual display, such as a map, may update based on the progress and position of the mobile device. The mobile device may also output at least a portion of the directions in text format.

In still other embodiments, the method may be performed by another mobile device, thus allowing one user's device to send its location back to the requesting device. The user's device may receive the request, and may output the request to the user, e.g., as audible signals.

In some embodiments, the geographical coordinates of one or more potential destinations may be sent to the mobile device from the potential destination. For example, a restaurant may send the coordinates of the restaurant to a mobile phone in response to being called from the phone and asked directions to arrive at the restaurant. In this example, the restaurant may send the coordinates of the restaurant, and the mobile phone may use these coordinates along with a present location of the mobile device as determined through GPS or some other technique, to determine a route between the present location and the restaurant. Coordinates may be longitude and latitude, a street address, or some other code which can be understood by the mobile device such that the location of the restaurant can be pinpointed by the mobile device in proximity to the present location (such as 5 miles north, 3 miles east, two blocks south, etc.).

In more embodiments, the geographical coordinates of one or more potential destinations may be sent to the mobile device from a webpage, website, Internet server, etc. For example, the location of a potential destination may be requested by the mobile device and the website may respond by sending the coordinates of the potential destination. The mobile device may use these coordinates along with a present location of the mobile device as determined through GPS or some other technique, to determine a route between the present location and the potential destination. For example, a user may request the location of the closest pizza restaurants (or any other type of business, residence, person, government agency (such as police station, fire department, etc.), point of interest (e.g., park, stadium, etc.), etc.) on a webpage which can then display a list of potential matches. The user may then select one or more of the returned matches, and the webpage may send the coordinates of one or more of the selected matches to a mobile device where the user may access the locations.

In further approaches, the route calculated can be based on or include some criteria, such as a fastest route, shortest distance, shortest time, whether traveling by automobile or foot, modes of transit such as mass transit including transit stops, fees associated with chosen routes, traffic conditions on chosen routes, restrictions on chosen routes (such as weight limitations, height limitations, walking path availability, time restrictions, etc.), etc.

In one example of use, a user dials 411 from his or her mobile telephone, upon which the mobile telephone transmits the tones, pulses, bits, etc., associated with dialing 411. A connection is made between the telephone and an automated system and/or a call center. The automated system and/or a person at the call center may ask for the query, which is transmitted to the user's telephone. In response, the telephone transmits the user's request for a location of a pizza restaurant near the user's location and/or some other location. In the former case, a location of the mobile telephone may be transmitted from the mobile telephone itself, estimated based on which tower the telephone is communicating through, etc. In the latter case, the user may state a location such as a city, relative to some street address or cross street, etc.

If the name of the pizza restaurant is given, the location of that particular restaurant can be returned. If there are several branches of the restaurant in the vicinity of the mobile telephone, then the locations of the branches can be transmitted to the mobile telephone for output to the user. The user selection can be received and a route to the selected branch can be output. The route may be output as a map, a list of directions, a single direction which after being executed results in the next direction being displayed, a combination of any of the former, etc.

Similarly, if the request is simply for a pizza restaurant (or any other type or class of business, a person or persons, etc.), then the names and/or locations of several pizza restaurants can be sent to the mobile telephone for output to the user for selection of one or more thereof. These names and/or locations may be sent to the mobile telephone by the pizza restaurant (or any other type or class of business, a person or persons, etc.), using a telephone, computer, etc., that is capable of sending the coordinates such that the coordinates can be recognized by the mobile telephone.

A request for a location of a person's home (or business, or present location) can also be made. For instance, assume the user requests directions to Dominic Kotab's home. Coordinates (e.g., a street address, longitude and latitude, etc.) of Dominic Kotab's home may be obtained or derived from a database or other data source, e.g., white pages. The mobile device may be able to generate a route to the received street address based on data stored on the device, or it may retrieve any additional data it may need to calculate the route. Of course, any information that is stored on the mobile device may be used in any of the embodiments in order to expedite the process, or to save on charges that may be incurred for data transmission, time on telephone, etc.

In another approach, a request may include a telephone number, which may be used to determine a location associated with the telephone number. The resultant location can be handled as described herein. For example, a telephone number for a friend's mobile telephone may result in the location of the friend's mobile telephone being returned to the mobile device, and a route between the present location of the mobile device and the friend's mobile telephone can be determined.

Filters can also be applied. For example, the user may indicate a preferred distance of the destination from his or her location and/or some other location, e.g., in a city, relative to some street address or cross street, etc. According to one example, if a user is driving from point A to point B, and desires to stop at a CHEVRON gas station along the way (possibly because the user prefers gasoline with the TECHRON additive), the filter may remove CHEVRON gas stations from the returned locations that do not fall within a predetermined proximity to the path of travel between point A and point B. In another approach, restaurants within some predefined radius of the mobile device, or of some other location, can be output.

Methods for determining a present location of a mobile device may include, but are not limited to, GPS (preferably built into the device), other types of satellite positioning, estimation based on ground communications (e.g., triangulation to towers, signal strength proximity, etc.), etc. Moreover, combinations of any methods disclosed herein may be used.

Data for the maps output by the mobile device may be stored locally, downloaded in portions or as a whole as needed, a combination of these, etc. Moreover, the map may be rendered either via the mobile device or may be generated remotely and sent to the mobile device for output. In addition, the map may be rendered as lines and blocks, as satellite imagery, as a combination of shapes, symbols, and satellite imagery, etc.

To conserve power, the mobile device may selectively (e.g., automatically, under control of a user, etc.) suspend and initiate determination of its present location. For instance, GPS (or other) navigation of a mobile device may be disabled until the destination information is received, upon which it is initiated at least long enough to discern the present location. The GPS navigation may remain on until the destination is reached, or it may periodically request a position until the destination is reached, possibly determining the rate at which to periodically determine the position based in part on the rate of travel.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of an embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system including a server for performing a method, comprising: receiving, from a mobile device of a first user, a verbal request for a location of a closest person to the mobile device of the first user; receiving a location of the mobile device of the first user; determining a plurality of potential matches in response to the verbal request, where each of the potential matches includes a name and location of a person, and where a filter is applied such that only potential matches within a predefined radius of the mobile device of the first user are determined; sending the plurality of potential matches to the mobile device of the first user; receiving a selection of one of the plurality of potential matches from the mobile device of the first user; obtaining location coordinates of the one selected potential match; determining a route between the location of the mobile device of the first user and the location coordinates of the one selected potential match, where the route is determined based on: speed, distance, time, mode of transit including automobile, walking, and mass transit including transit stops, fees associated with available routes, time restrictions associated with available routes, and traffic conditions associated with available routes; generating a map associated with the route; and sending the map and the route to the mobile device of the first user.
 2. A method, comprising: receiving, from a mobile device of a first user, a verbal request for a location of a closest person to the mobile device of the first user; receiving a location of the mobile device of the first user; determining a plurality of potential matches in response to the verbal request, where each of the potential matches includes a name and location of a person, and where a filter is applied such that only potential matches within a predefined radius of the mobile device of the first user are determined; sending the plurality of potential matches to the mobile device of the first user; receiving a selection of one of the plurality of potential matches from the mobile device of the first user; obtaining location coordinates of the one selected potential match; determining a route between the location of the mobile device of the first user and the location coordinates of the one selected potential match, where the route is determined based on: speed, distance, time, mode of transit including automobile, walking, and mass transit including transit stops, fees associated with available routes, time restrictions associated with available routes, and traffic conditions associated with available routes; generating a map associated with the route; and sending the map and the route to the mobile device of the first user.
 3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the potential matches includes a name and location of a person located within a predefined radius of the location of the mobile device of the first user, and where the location of the person is derived from a location of a mobile telephone of the person.
 4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a live person receives the verbal request.
 5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a machine receives and processes at least a portion of the verbal request.
 6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the mobile device of the first user is a telephone.
 7. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the mobile device of the first user is an automobile-mounted device.
 8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein geographical coordinates of the plurality of potential matches are determined and transmitted to the mobile device of the first user.
 9. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the method is performed by a server.
 10. A method, comprising: transmitting from a mobile device of a first user to a server a verbal request for a location of a closest person to the mobile device of the first user; transmitting from the mobile device of the first user to the server a location of the mobile device of the first user; receiving a plurality of potential matches in response to the verbal request, where each of the potential matches includes a name and location of a person, and where a filter is applied such that only potential matches within a predefined radius of the mobile device of the first user are determined; transmitting a selection of one of the plurality of potential matches from the mobile device of the first user to the server; receiving a route between the location of the mobile device of the first user and the selected one of the plurality of potential matches, where the route is determined based on: speed, distance, time, mode of transit including automobile, walking, and mass transit including transit stops, fees associated with available routes, time restrictions associated with available routes, and traffic conditions associated with available routes; receiving a remotely generated map associated with the route; and outputting, by the mobile device of the first user, the map and the route, including a graphical representation highlighting at least part of the route between the location of the mobile device of the first user and the selected one of the plurality of potential matches.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising determining the location of the mobile device of the first user.
 12. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising updating the location of the mobile device of the first user and updating the map.
 13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising audibly outputting at least part of the route.
 14. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising outputting via text at least part of the route.
 15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the verbal request is received by at least one of: a live person, and a machine.
 16. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising identifying an updated location of the mobile device of the first user, and updating the graphical representation, utilizing the updated location.
 17. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising outputting at least a portion of directions associated with the route in a text format.
 18. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the map includes roadway names, place names, points of interest, arrows, turning instructions, and distances.
 19. A system including a mobile device of a first user for performing a method, comprising: transmitting to a server a verbal request for a location of a closest person to a mobile device of the first user; transmitting a location of the mobile device of the first user; receiving a plurality of potential matches in response to the verbal request, where each of the potential matches includes a name and location of a person, and where a filter is applied such that only potential matches within a predefined radius of the mobile device of the first user are determined; transmitting a selection of one of the plurality of potential matches from the mobile device of the first user to the server; receiving a route between the location of the mobile device of the first user and the selected one of the plurality of potential matches, where the route is determined based on: speed, distance, time, mode of transit including automobile, walking, and mass transit including transit stops, fees associated with available routes, time restrictions associated with available routes, and traffic conditions associated with available routes; receiving a remotely generated map associated with the route; and outputting the map and the route, including a graphical representation highlighting at least part of the route between the location of the mobile device of the first user and the selected one of the plurality of potential matches.
 20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising audibly outputting at least a portion of the route.
 21. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising textually outputting at least a portion of directions associated with the route.
 22. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising updating the location of the mobile device of the first user and updating the map.
 23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the mobile device of the first user is a telephone.
 24. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the mobile device of the first user is an automobile-mounted device. 